January 06, 2011

hotcakes for humanity: #1

Next week it will be one year since I sat wide-eyed in the late hours of the night watching their eyes and seeing their hopelessness within reflected to the outside world. January 12, 2010 was the day the earthquake heard around the world added to the already heavy sorrows of a long weary people living in Haiti. For the first time, my eyes were opened to the lifelong plight of so many of her children and I wanted to leap through my tv's screen, slither past Anderson Cooper, and open my heart and my home to those in desperate need. I knew I had much to offer but what could and would I give? As a temporary invalid struggling with my body often declaring mutiny on my health, I felt disabled.

I watched, absorbing all the details I could; my laptop absorbing my angry venting through the rapid tapping of random googles. Where was Port-au-Prince? What orphanages are operating there? What are their needs? Who could be trusted with charitable donations? I chatted with my sister long distance, swapping stories and ideas of what could be done, what we could do. Until I knew what I must do...

Our ambitious plan didn't quite take off the ground as we had hoped, thanks in large part to my body of betrayal. We gave and we prayed and we got involved on a personal level but our desire to involve our community never made it past our front door.

Until Sunday, that is. When over 40 people marched through our front door as guests of our first Hotcakes for Humanity event. With rock star presenters, Ali and Phil, we had hoped to host it at a bigger venue to include more than 125 people. When our initial plan fell through, we proceeded on a much smaller scale. And still raised almost $1,000 for the needs of those needing our involvement. Three charities were presented, with Mercy Ships taking the spotlight with a brilliant slide show and the sharing of startling statistics of those waiting to receive help. Eyes were opened, hearts burdened, and checks extended. As a community, we bonded over a simple dinner and a fantastic opportunity: to feed and clothe and heal and educate from another world away.

If you too are burdened with the desire to do more from where you live, would you consider hosting a Hotcakes for Humanity event in your home or neighborhood once, twice, or like we hope to do, a couple of times a year? I would love to help you by providing you with a digital invitation. You pick your charities, research what they offer, and present it to your friends and see how your block can unite to change another community thousands of miles away.

What are you waiting for?? Email me or comment below and let's see how many lives you and I can impact this year!

Comments

hotcakes for humanity: #1

Next week it will be one year since I sat wide-eyed in the late hours of the night watching their eyes and seeing their hopelessness within reflected to the outside world. January 12, 2010 was the day the earthquake heard around the world added to the already heavy sorrows of a long weary people living in Haiti. For the first time, my eyes were opened to the lifelong plight of so many of her children and I wanted to leap through my tv's screen, slither past Anderson Cooper, and open my heart and my home to those in desperate need. I knew I had much to offer but what could and would I give? As a temporary invalid struggling with my body often declaring mutiny on my health, I felt disabled.

I watched, absorbing all the details I could; my laptop absorbing my angry venting through the rapid tapping of random googles. Where was Port-au-Prince? What orphanages are operating there? What are their needs? Who could be trusted with charitable donations? I chatted with my sister long distance, swapping stories and ideas of what could be done, what we could do. Until I knew what I must do...

Our ambitious plan didn't quite take off the ground as we had hoped, thanks in large part to my body of betrayal. We gave and we prayed and we got involved on a personal level but our desire to involve our community never made it past our front door.

Until Sunday, that is. When over 40 people marched through our front door as guests of our first Hotcakes for Humanity event. With rock star presenters, Ali and Phil, we had hoped to host it at a bigger venue to include more than 125 people. When our initial plan fell through, we proceeded on a much smaller scale. And still raised almost $1,000 for the needs of those needing our involvement. Three charities were presented, with Mercy Ships taking the spotlight with a brilliant slide show and the sharing of startling statistics of those waiting to receive help. Eyes were opened, hearts burdened, and checks extended. As a community, we bonded over a simple dinner and a fantastic opportunity: to feed and clothe and heal and educate from another world away.

If you too are burdened with the desire to do more from where you live, would you consider hosting a Hotcakes for Humanity event in your home or neighborhood once, twice, or like we hope to do, a couple of times a year? I would love to help you by providing you with a digital invitation. You pick your charities, research what they offer, and present it to your friends and see how your block can unite to change another community thousands of miles away.

What are you waiting for?? Email me or comment below and let's see how many lives you and I can impact this year!